Chief Financial Officer - Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

As the first museum to focus exclusively on storytelling through images, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes that visual storytelling can connect us and help shape a more just society. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the Lucas Museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and led by director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

This is a truly unique career opportunity for an experienced, strategic financial professional with a demonstrated track record of building and scaling finances. The Museum is rapidly moving from the early stage of planning through the ramp-up to a fully operational, major cultural institution. The CFO is responsible for shepherding the organization through this process, building the systems and procedures that support this growth, and laying the foundations for a robust high-performance organization.

As an organization-wide resource, the CFO will build and lead a team responsible for the entire range of accounting and finance, forecasting, reporting, investment management, and other financial activities. The CFO will be a strategic partner to the Director and CEO, the Executive Committee, the Founders, and the Board of Directors on all financial matters.

The CFO develops and implements the strategies and tactics for financial stability and ongoing growth and oversees all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization in conjunction with the Board of Directors and its Committees.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The CFO reports to the Museum’s COO and works in close partnership with the Director & CEO as well as with the entire executive team. The CFO will also work with Founders and the Board of Directors. Reporting to the CFO is a current team that comprises two accountants and a payroll specialist. The team will strategically grow during the development of the institution. The CFO will build out the finance department, leading and mentoring the high performing team required to manage and maximize financial resources, monitor revenue and expenses, and manage costs.

SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS:

• Financial leadership

• Develop a deep understanding of the organization’s current and future operations and functions
• Oversee the accurate and timely preparation, analysis, and presentation of regular financial reports for management, the Founders, and the Board of Directors
• Propose and institute approaches and practices appropriate for a rapidly growing, highly visible mission-driven institution, and also plan for long-term future financial growth and stability
• Lead policies and procedures designed to maximize revenue and manage expenses
• Manage and report on relationships with lending and funding institutions
• Participate in identifying and assessing opportunities for potential affiliations, partnerships, and other business relationships for the Museum
• Develop short- and long-range financial plans to ensure the financial viability of programs, collections and operations including policies, procedures, forecasts, scenarios, and system supports
• Oversee annual budget development process with the leadership team and monitor performance versus budget for all programs and operations
• Oversee the reporting on capital projects including the build-out of the interior spaces of the Museum and an offsite storage facility
• Ensure that accounting and finance systems are sufficient to support fast-paced growth as well as accuracy; create a new chart of accounts
• Work in close alignment and collaboration with the leadership of the Museum
• Support these efforts through financial modeling
• Support the work of the General Counsel and Chief Strategy Officer to develop ways to measure progress in achieving the Strategic Plan
• Work with the Chief People and Culture Officer and the General Counsel and Chief Strategy Officer to develop streamlined policies and procedures
• Review, monitor, and advise on contracts, agreements, outsourcing arrangements, etc.
• Identify opportunities to maximize resources and to implement cost savings
• Ensure that fiscal policies, processes, and procedures promote efficiency, transparency, and accountability
• Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning, the introduction of new programs/strategies, and regulatory/compliance matters
• Work with the Committees of the Board of Directors and the Board Treasurer on various fiscal matters
• Ensure best practices in all aspects of financial management, including appropriate alignment of financial functions and responsibilities and staff development
• Establish clear performance goals and measures for all financial processes and operations
• Cultivate and manage relationships with partners, including funders, vendors, auditors, banking institutions, investment managers, etc.
• Participate in relevant professional organizations, working groups, conferences, and training opportunities to maintain visible presence and awareness of key trends and best practices
• Serve as an ambassador for the Museum, as appropriate
• Perform special projects and other duties as designated by the COO and the Director and CEO

• Management/team building/mentoring

• Build and lead a high-performing finance team with the required skills that model the values of the Lucas Museum
• Mentor and develop a team using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals
• Encourage professional development and growth of team members
• Serve as an advocate for the finance team and ensure that the team has access to appropriate technology, training, and professional development

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Action-Oriented - Makes prompt, clear decisions that may involve critical choices or considered risks; takes responsibility for actions, projects, and people; takes initiative, acts with confidence, and works under own direction; initiates and generates activity for the division
• Strategic Leadership - Works strategically to realize organizational goals; establishes and implements financial strategies and tactics
• Thoughtful Analysis - Evaluates numerical and narrative data and all other sources of information; breaks information into component parts, patterns, and relationships; probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem; makes rational judgments from available information and analysis
• Key Collaborator - Demonstrates an interest in and understanding of others; adapts to the team and builds team spirit; recognizes and rewards the contribution of others; listens, consults others, and communicates proactively; supports and cares for others; develops and openly communicates self-insight
• Technical Expertise - Applies specialist and detailed technical proficiency; shares expertise and knowledge with others; uses technology to achieve work objectives; demonstrates an understanding of different organizational departments and functions
• Entrepreneurial - Demonstrates confident entrepreneurial leadership, mitigates risk, and leads finance-related priorities leading up to, during, and post-opening of the Museum

IDEAL CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated successful financial leadership experience with large scale organization. Not-for-profit experience is valued but is not a prerequisite
• Capacity to serve as a trusted strategic advisor and partner to the Director, Executive Committee, Founders and Board of Directors
• History of building relationships and working effectively with a board of directors, institutional leadership and staff, a diverse set of external partners, and the general public
• Financially sophisticated; experience with both contributed and earned revenue sources, including but not limited to retail, food and beverage and other contracted relationships
• Knowledgeable about tax and accounting rules for not-for-profits
• Track record of creativity, driving growth and moving projects forward with ambitious timelines
• Strategic planning, organizational, and project management skills
• Able to establish ambitious goals and objectives and to inspire a team to reach and exceed expectations
• Tech savvy and data driven; able to analyze trends, project financial priorities and requirements as well as performance metrics
• Ability to influence and engage direct reports and peers
• Track record of being an institution-wide resource and contributing member of the executive team

Personal Qualities:

• Passion for the Lucas Museum mission and an understanding of and respect for the institutional culture
• An innate intellectual curiosity
• Ability to see the big picture and also to ensure accuracy and attention to detail.
• A motivator with a collaborative spirit
• An upbeat, “can-do” orientation
• Comfortable with ambiguity; able to envision the new and different and to manage multiple priorities
• A genuine commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in principle and in practice in the workplace
• An effective communicator at all levels with strong oral, written, and presentation skills and a willingness to share information
• Mature, grounded, thoughtful, and confident
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution
• A collaborative and flexible style with a strong service mentality

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree is required; master’s or other advanced degree or specific relevant credential (CPA, MBA or other) is preferred

$230,000 - $300,000 a year

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

We are a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through visual storytelling the Lucas Museum expands the role of art and museums for society. The Museum inspires thought-provoking ideas and conversations that are relevant within and beyond geographic boundaries. Our work radiates to catalyze more connected and empathetic spaces. The art of storytelling connects us to shape a more just society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practice is shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

PEOPLE FIRST

We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what people find meaningful, to works of art and the work of our organization.

INSPIRED

We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

COLLABORATIVE

We believe that nimble thinking and working together yields exponential results.

BRAVE

We approach our work and learning with courage, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

4 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

ART

Amplify the social impact of Narrative Art through an approach that bridges the academic and the popular.

COMMUNITY

Connect to a broad and diverse public by creating an institution rooted in impactful, respectful, sustainable relationships.

INCLUSION

Practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in all operational and programmatic aspects of our work.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Create a healthy and durable institution equipped to fulfill its vision and public mandate.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).

Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.